Doctors Who Treat Dementia

Dementia

If you’re concerned about changes in
memory, thinking, behavior, or mood, in yourself or someone you care about,
contact your primary care physician. They will perform a physical exam and
discuss your symptoms, and assess your mental status. Your doctor may order tests
to determine if there is a physical cause for your symptoms, or refer you to a
specialist.

Getting a second opinion

There is no blood test for dementia. This
condition is diagnosed with:

tests that determine
your cognitive ability

neurological
evaluation

brain scan

lab tests to
rule out a physical basis of your symptoms

mental health
evaluations to be certain that your symptoms are not caused by a condition such
as depression

Because it is so difficult to diagnose
dementia, you may want to get a second opinion. Don’t worry about offending
your doctor or specialist. Most medical professionals understand the benefit of
a second opinion. Your doctor should be happy to refer you to another doctor
for a second opinion.

Dementia specialists

Geriatricians manage
health care for older adults. They know how the body changes as it ages and
whether symptoms indicate a serious problem.

Geriatric
psychiatrists specialize in the mental and emotional problems of older
adults and can assess memory and thinking.

Neurologists specialize
in abnormalities of the brain and central nervous system. They can conduct
testing of the nervous system as well as review and interpret brain scans.

Neuropsychologists
conduct tests related to memory and thinking.

Memory
clinics and centers

Memory clinics and centers, such as the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers, have teams of specialists who work together to
diagnose the problem. For example, a geriatrician can look at your general
health, a neuropsychologist can test your thinking and memory, and a
neurologist can use scanning technology to "see" inside your brain. Tests are
often done at a single centralized location, which can speed up diagnosis.

A word about clinical trials

Taking part in a clinical trial may be an
option worth your consideration. Start your research at a credible place such
as the Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Trials Database. Thisis
a joint project of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA). It is maintained by the NIA’s Alzheimer’s Disease
Education and Referral Center.

Preparing to see your doctor

To get the most from the time with your
doctor, it’s helpful to be prepared. Your doctor will ask you a series of
questions about your symptoms. Writing down information ahead of time will help
you answer accurately.

Questions
your doctor may ask

What are your symptoms?

When did they start?

Do you have them all the time or do they come and go?

What makes them better?

What makes them worse?

How severe are they?

Are they getting worse or staying the same?

Have you had to stop doing things you used to do?

Does anyone in your family have a genetic form of dementia,
Huntington’s, or Parkinson’s?

What other conditions do you have?

What medications do you take?

Have you been under any unusual stress lately? Have you had any
major life changes?

Questions
to ask your doctor

In addition to being prepared to answer
your doctor’s questions, it is helpful to write down questions you want to ask.
The following are some suggestions. Add any others to the list:

What is causing my symptoms?

Is it treatable?

Is it reversible?

What tests do you recommend?

Will medication help? Does it have side effects?

Will this go away or is it chronic?

Is it going to get worse?

Resources and support

Being diagnosed with dementia can be very
frightening. It can be helpful to talk about your feelings with your family,
friends, or clergy.

You might want to consider professional
counseling or a support group. Try to learn as much as you can about your
condition. Make sure arrangements are made for your ongoing care, and take care
of yourself. Stay physically active and involved with others. Let someone you
trust help with decision-making and responsibilities.

It is also frightening if a family member
is diagnosed with dementia. You, too, should talk about your feelings.
Counseling may help, as can a support group. Learn as much as you can about the
condition. It’s equally important that you take care of yourself. Stay active
and involved in your life. It can be difficult and frustrating to care for
someone with dementia, so make sure that you will have some help.

This feature is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the care and information received from your health care provider. Please consult a health care professional with any health concerns you may have.